Rabbit antiserum against a purified surface glycoprotein decompacts mouse preimplantation embryos and reacts with specific adult tissues.

A rabbit antiserum against a purified embryonal carcinoma (EC) cell surface glycoprotein interferes with cell-cell interaction in mouse preimplantation embryos. The 123 kD glycoprotein seems not to be an integral membrane component. The reactivity pattern of the antiserum was studied by immunofluorescence on cryostat sections of post-implantation embryos and of adult tissues. During embryonic development positive reactions were found on all epithelial cells, irrespective of their germ layer origin. Epithelial cells of adult tissues--tongue, uterus, gut, kidney, trachea and liver--react with the antibodies. The results are compared with cell-adhesive molecules previously described on EC cells and preimplantation embryos.